Re: [photo-3d] Re: 7p (and 8p) stereo cameras

[Mike Kersenbrock <michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gabriel Jacob wrote:
> 
> >I've both a FED and an X3B, that close enough?  I prefer
> >the X3B.  By a lot.
> >
> >Mike K.
> 
> Straight and honest question, why? :-)

	1. I can literally see what I'm getting through the
           lenses, whereas it's an SLR based stereo camera.

	2. I can see through the camera in stereo using both
           eyes at once.

	3. X3 has a Pentax zoom 28~70 lens which I like a *LOT* I find
           the fixed 35~38'ish mm lenses of my other stereo cameras
           very restrictive in doing what I want to do.

	4. X3 has 16-mm f/2.8 semi-fisheye lenses

	5. X3 has f1.4 50mm Pentax lenses for low light situations

	6. X3 has 135mm Pentax lenses for when I'm stuck at a distance

	7. X3 has TTL flash metering which is of great use when
           used in conjunction with the above lens set.  Fully
           integrates with the metz flash I attach to the top, not
           to speak of the small handy built-in popup flash.

	8. X3 film needs only be dropped off at any local store and
           what I get back is ready to be dropped into my stereo viewer
           for instant gratification

	9. X3 gives me control over my f/stop (which FED does ONLY
           when using flash).

	10. X3 gives me control over f/stop and shutter speed, both
            of which I know about before taking a picture (as well
            as after, with the FED you never know for non-flash pic's).

	11. X3 has a very fast motor winding of film allowing quick
            sequence of shots when somethin's a happening and I'm
            trying to grab the perfect shot(s) in the few seconds 
            before the event is over (I'm not one for stationary scenics).

	11a. Motor also allows for very quick (automatic, actually) 
             bracketing where they're all of nearly the same image
             when things are changing.

	12. X3 gives me QUICK rewind/change of film (compared to FED)
            so I lose less time when going from one roll to another
            (and it's often during a #11 situation -- Murphy's law!).

	13. Metering is TTL, not just when using flash.  Has spot-metering
            mode which I've used occasionally as well.

	14. Format is, of course, 8P rather than 7P, so it's a bit bigger.
            Remote cable is electronic, so cable can be quite lengthy
            and be piece-of-cake to use.

	15. Doesn't have the "feel" that if I breathe on it too hard, it'll
            break.  FED has a really low-quality "feel" to it.  FED-BOY may
            be better, mine's a "plain" FED.

	16. It's batteries are much easier to find than the FED's.  X3 uses
            four plain old alkaline AA batteries that are dirt-cheap at Costco
            and is available most anywhere at reasonable cost. Lasts a long 
            time too.

	17. X3 won't drain the batteries quite as fast a the FED drains it's
            batteries (FED doesn't have an off switch unless user-installed).

	18. My impression of image sharpness is that the X3's are sharper,
            but I haven't tried them side-by-side.  My FED will probably not see
            film again.  X3 sharpness will depend which lenses I've on the X3 -- which 
            is of course one thing I find so, what's the word... liberating!
            I really really like interchangeable lenses.
            The Pentax Zoom is in fact, surprisingly sharp, much better than the
            last zoom I had used way back in 2D days.

	19. Somewhat related to #18 above, is that the lenses on the X3 are
            focusable in both a much faster and accurate way compared to the
            FED.  In the X3, being SLR based, I can see through the lenses
            and very quickly focus.  Even adjusting the two lenses one at
            a time (the case for all but the linked zoom lenses) is faster
            than fussing/guessing with the FED.  In addition, if I've time
            and inclination, I can move a finger over a bit and push the
            electronic button that activates the DOF preview so I can see
            *exactly* what's in focus ahead of time!  No guessing!  VERY
            useful when things are marginal and I'm compromising DOF under
            low light situations (I'm in Oregon, been known to be overcast
            here now and then).

Well, that's off-the cuff, I'm sure that other X3/FED users may be able to add
a few to the list.  I will say that the FED does have some advantages which
(again off the cuff) are:

	1. The obvious, it's much much less expensive.  One can even buy spares.

	2. It gets a few more images per roll of film, so that makes
           film costs a bit lower as well.

	3. You're not too worried if somebody steals it -- other than losing
           the images on the film in the camera.

	4. It comes with a case.  Really cheaply done case, but
           it at least has one.  I had to go get a whole Pelican box
           for the X3.

	5. It's smaller and lighter.


Hope this list gives the general idea of why I like my X3B much more
than my FED (note that I like my FED, just not near so much as the X3B).

Mike K.


> 
> Gabriel